America's first 'surf park' opens in Austin, Texas

An Austin-based company opened what they call "America's first surf park," a lagoon that creates artificial waves of different sizes. Oct. 4, 2016.

Click through the gallery to see pictures of Nland's surf park.

An Austin-based company opened what they call "America's first surf park," a lagoon that creates artificial waves of different sizes. Oct. 4, 2016.

Click through the gallery to see pictures of Nland's surf park.

Photo: NLand Surf Park LLC

Photo: NLand Surf Park LLC

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An Austin-based company opened what they call "America's first surf park," a lagoon that creates artificial waves of different sizes. Oct. 4, 2016.

Click through the gallery to see pictures of Nland's surf park.

An Austin-based company opened what they call "America's first surf park," a lagoon that creates artificial waves of different sizes. Oct. 4, 2016.

Click through the gallery to see pictures of Nland's surf park.

Photo: NLand Surf Park LLC

America's first 'surf park' opens in Austin, Texas

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Central Texas might be the last place to expect wetsuit-wearing surfers to catch some waves, but an Austin-based company is hoping to change that. On Friday, Nland LLC opened their new "surf park," a massive artificial lagoon that creates waves of different sizes.

"As a surfer and an engineer, NLand has been a dream of mine for the past 20 years. We have had our share of challenges, but they are behind us and I look forward to sharing our waves with the world," said Doug Coors, NLand's founder, in a news release.

In July, Nland and Travis County faced off in a legal dispute concerning whether the surfing destination needed a swimming pool permit. Due to the attraction's size, the permit would require the owners to filter the water every six hours with large pumps that could endanger swimmers, reported the Austin American-Statesman.

Three days before the park opened, the Travis County Commissioners Court voted to allow the lagoon to open as long as it sends officials daily water-quality reports, according to the Austin American-Statesman.

With the legal standoff over, the park is ready to service the public with waves, a restaurant, surf shop and a training center to coach inexperienced visitors.

Above all, the company boasts of its environmentally friendly methods, which uses rainwater to create a self-sustaining water park.

"NLand represents innovation in technology, sustainability and sport. While this innovation outpaced regulation, I am glad an agreement was reached as this project represents the best of Austin," said Travis County Commissioner Margaret Gómez, in the same news release.

Click through the gallery above to see pictures of North America's first surf park.